Many music enthusiasts frequently encounter bands touted as “the next Led Zeppelin” due to their distinctive sound and stylistic choices. However, there is one 1990s band whose early career trajectory surprisingly parallels that of Led Zeppelin in numerous ways.

To begin with, there exists a crucial difference between the legendary Led Zeppelin and our featured 1990s band. While Led Zeppelin’s illustrious career came to an abrupt halt following the tragic death of their drummer John Bonham, this particular band has been fortunate enough to avoid similar calamities within their ranks. However, the members of this band had previously endured comparable hardships before establishing a new group that would ultimately soar to great heights.

So, which band are we discussing? We are referring to Pearl Jam.

Explore the Early Success of Key Members from Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam

One notable aspect that both Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam share is that neither band was a first-time endeavor for its members.

Jimmy Page, for instance, initially gained recognition as a sought-after session musician before enjoying a brief period of success with The Yardbirds. This experience proved invaluable when he decided to form a new group, as it allowed him to precisely identify what he was seeking in musicians.

While Green River and Mother Love Bone may not have achieved the same level of fame as The Yardbirds, they are highly regarded for their contributions to the evolution of the grunge sound that emerged in the early 1990s. Both bands included guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament, who were hopeful that Mother Love Bone would achieve significant commercial success. Tragically, the untimely death of lead singer Andrew Wood prior to the release of their debut album compelled Gossard and Ament to seek new beginnings. Thanks to their extensive experience, they were ready for greater achievements, and Pearl Jam propelled them to superstardom.

Mother Love Bone, “Crown of Thorns”

Comparing Hit Albums and Singles from Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam

Both Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam have produced a remarkable array of timeless songs; however, when it comes to commercial success, it is their albums that tell the more compelling story.

From 1969 to 1975, Led Zeppelin released six albums, each eventually achieving a remarkable six-times platinum certification or better. During their peak years, they were virtually unbeatable in the rock genre until the latter part of the 1970s, when their sales began to experience a slight decline.

Despite the brilliance of Led Zeppelin’s albums, their singles did not achieve the same level of success on rock radio. Their only Top 10 hit, “Whole Lotta Love,” peaked at No. 4, while other notable tracks like “Immigrant Song,” “Black Dog,” “D’yer Mak’er,” and “Trampled Under Foot” managed to reach the Top 40 from their first six albums.

This is not to suggest that Led Zeppelin did not receive radio airplay—indeed, they continue to do so today! However, the emphasis was clearly placed more on their albums than their individual singles.

Led Zeppelin, “Whole Lotta Love”

READ MORE: 10 Best God-Tier Rock Songs of the 1970s

In the 1990s, albums were not produced at the same rapid pace as in previous decades, yet Pearl Jam similarly dominated the initial half of the decade. Their albums Ten, Vs., and Vitalogy all reached No. 1 or No. 2 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and each surpassed the five-times platinum milestone as certified by the RIAA.

However, akin to Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam‘s album sales began to decline during the latter half of the decade. Albums such as No Code and Yield still achieved respectable chart positions, but their overall sales did not come close to the benchmarks set by their earlier releases.

Moreover, similar to Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam concentrated more on their albums than on singles. After early hits like “Even Flow” and “Jeremy” catapulted them to MTV stardom, the band took a stand against their newfound popularity by refusing to produce music videos, thus shifting the focus back onto their music. While songs like “Daughter” and “Dissident” did enter the Top 10 and the band still garnered radio play, the overall chart positions did not align with the expectations for such a prominent band.

Pearl Jam, “Even Flow”

Evolution of Sound: The Musical Transformation of Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam

Eventually, every band must evolve, and both Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam experienced significant changes in their sound over the years.

By the mid-1970s, Led Zeppelin had reached the pinnacle of the rock music world but found themselves retracing some familiar territory. With the release of Presence in 1976, the band was under pressure due to Robert Plant‘s recovery from injuries sustained in a car accident. As a result, they largely abandoned keyboards and acoustic guitar in favor of a return to their blues roots.

This album received mixed reviews, produced only one single (“Candy Store Rock”), and the band chose not to tour in support of it. While it was somewhat of a commercial letdown at the time, the album has since gained retroactive acclaim among fans.

On the other hand, In Through the Out Door, released in 1978, marked a commercial resurgence for the band, offering a more accessible sound. Tracks like “Fool in the Rain” and “All My Love” were notable additions to their catalog, contributing to their revitalized career momentum.

Led Zeppelin, “Fool in the Rain”

For Pearl Jam, the band began to recognize the shifting landscape of grunge music and adapted their sound accordingly.

However, this transformation did not necessarily mean that fans were ready to embrace their new direction just yet.

Following the enormous success of their first three albums, the 1996 release of No Code only managed to achieve platinum certification, with tracks like “Who You Are” and “Hail Hail” becoming somewhat overlooked hits from this commercial downturn.

Much like Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam made a commendable comeback. Their 1998 album Yield peaked at No. 2 and was more positively received, with songs like “Given to Fly”—which many have likened to Led Zeppelin‘s sound—and “Wishlist” establishing themselves as enduring favorites.

Pearl Jam, “Given to Fly”

Distinct Endings: The Diverging Paths of Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam

As illustrated, the trajectories of these two legendary bands share notable similarities, yet aside from the perception that “Given to Fly” nods to “Going to California,” there is little overlap in their distinct sounds and styles.

The untimely passing of drummer John Bonham in 1980 forever altered the landscape, leading to Led Zeppelin disbanding just 11 years after their debut album, ultimately leaving fans with the posthumous release of Coda. Since then, there has been no true resurgence for Led Zeppelin, aside from a few reunion performances and occasional collaborations among the surviving members.

In contrast, Pearl Jam has maintained a remarkably stable career trajectory among the major grunge bands, preserving much of their original lineup while never officially disbanding. They have produced 12 studio albums and remain a formidable draw for concert tours around the globe.

Complete List of Musicians Who Have Played in Pearl Jam

Below is a comprehensive list of all musicians who have been official members of Pearl Jam since their formation in 1990.

Gallery Credit: Lauryn Schaffner